research article
Symmetrically arranged quartz tuning fork with soft cantilever for intermittent contact mode atomic force microscopy
The dynamic mode atomic force microscopy based on a microfabricated cantilever and a commercial quartz tuning fork was probed. The probe was self-sensing and self-actuating. The tuning fork performed the function of a force sensor. The amplitude and frequency of the tuning fork governed the tip vibration, while the cantilever determined the spring constant.